When we arrived at camp, Heather Roberts, Serenity Wallace and Mindy Roberts were erecting the tent, so I went and helped them while my parents were putting the trailer into place. The Wallace boys were, at the same time, putting up their outfitter’s tent. (Lucky boys! They were able to have a woodstove in their tent!)

            Finally, all the preparations were finished and we were ready to begin our week of fun. Soup was heated while everyone visited and I took notice of who was there. The Wallace clan parents, wee ones, and the Phillips elders had their trailer, Kristin Roberts (Heather and Mindy’s cousin) and Cassia Fraijo were in another, and my family had a trailer. The Peterson boys and their friend, known as Mitch, were in a tent, Heather, Mindy, Grace and I were in another, the Steinke family were in yet another tent (they had also brought a friend; David Calvo), and the Wallace boys had the outfitter’s tent.

            Dinner was just being served when the two Martin couples arrived with a trailer as well as a tent. Moreover, we had nearly finished eating when the Cavanaugh family showed up with another trailer.

            Then, I took out my violin and Zachary Wallace took out his cello while Laryssa Steinke tuned her guitar. We began playing and my ma brought out her violin. We played happily for some time and then, since he had to get up early, Zachary had to stop. Therefore, the rest of us put our instruments and went to our places of slumber for the night.

October 17 –I awoke at 4:35 a.m. to the sounds of the boys’ loud talking and laughter. (And the boys say girls are loud!) Mindy and Grace woke up. We listened as they all piled into vehicles and drove away to begin hunting. Then we waited for other sounds. At sometime near 5, Caleb Cavanaugh asked if there was anyone awake, well we shouted that we were and dressed quickly. Soon, all of us were ready for the adventures that day would hold. I took them for a walk and we found a perfect spot for a fort. So, within moments, we had walls built nearly as high as our waists and a little corner shade. Everything was made completely of fallen trees and pine needles.

            Then, we went back to camp to eat our breakfast.

            That night, I stayed in Kristin’s trailer with Cassia, Lydia Steinke, Laryssa (her sister) and Kristin (of course).

October 18 –Mindy, Grace and I dressed as pioneers while Melody dressed as a Native American.

            Later that morning, Austin Peterson and Wesley Wallace came proudly into camp with their elk. Zachary came in a little later saying that he had one as well. We were all so happy!

            That afternoon, Zachary and Brother Russell Wallace went out to find Zachary’s elk. Unfortunately, they came back empty handed. Someone had stolen his elk! L

            That night, all the young people crammed themselves into Kristin’s trailer for a game of “Settlers of Catan”. It was so fun! Brother Russell came in after a while, worried because Brother Chris and Sister Jochabed Cavanaugh had not returned to camp yet. He told us to let him know when they came back.

            Finally, at midnight, when most of the young people were in bed, they returned. And Sister Jochabed was victorious!

October 19 –We had church in the forest. It reminded me of the services in the Crown and Covenant series so much that I felt like I had been transported back in time. There was a path behind the pulpit going into the forest and I kept expecting the red-coated dragoons to come marching toward us!

            Anyway, there were some extra people in the congregation that day. Brother Russell’s dad and mom, Emily Wallace, the McGeary family and their friend had come to join us.

            Brother Mark Steinke and his family sand two songs. Originally, it had been only one, but Brother Russell, to the congregation’s surprise, promised that his family would sing if the Steinke’s sang another song. So, with a smile, they agreed. After the song, the whole congregation reminded Brother Russell of his promise and urged the Wallace clan forward. They all (except celloist Zachary) sang, “We Gather Together”. It was beautiful and it was so good to hear them sing. They never do. They are my favorite singers ever!

            Brother Dennis McGeary preached a very interesting sermon about diamonds. He was saying that diamonds are just like us. They start like a simple, ugly rock, but, with the right cleaning and tests, the rock becomes a valuable, sparkling diamond.

            After service, the orchestra (a cello, two violins, guitar, and a flute) continued playing for quite some time. I did not want to stop, but we all did so, one by one.

            That day, the Peterson boys, Steinke family, Cavanaugh’s, Roberts’, (except Mindy, who stayed with us) Phillips’, McGeary’s, Emily and the Wallace elders, as well as their friends, left. It seemed so quiet and empty after that. L

            Night fell, but the kinner (children) played tag and wrestled each other, the adults talked about this and that, and I talked with Zachary about camp life when he is out hunting.

            Then, Brother Chris Romine and Brother Scott Scoffield arrived in camp to join us. More talking followed and we all ate dinner together.

October 20 –The day passed for some time rather boring. Sister Elisabeth Wallace and some of her kinner  *children*(Seth, Justus and Audrey) left.

            Late in the afternoon, my da and brother, Josiah, returned. Josiah was grinning from ear to ear, for he had shot his first elk!

October 21 –Da got his elk in the afternoon and told us that Zachary had as well (with a replacement tag).

            Then, alas, we left the forest and returned to “civilization”.

                                  The

                     End

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Posted by timbuck2mom

We're your favorite singers, Lydia? Why didn't you tell me? :) That was a very rare moment. :D

A lot of memories are being made at hunting camp. It's becoming quite the get-away.

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